Furniture units

ABSTRACT

A furniture unit is provided which can be shipped in disassembled condition and readily assembled and which has firmly attached, tightly fitting but removable covers while at the same time having the appearance of upholstered furniture. The unit incorporates individual seat, back and sidearm portions. Separate cover units for each of these portions include peripheral restraining elements detachably maintaining the covers under tension, the restraining elements being out of sight when the unit is assembled. The seat portion incorporates back support apertures within which mating members of the back portion register and are retained, and also includes side brackets for receiving and supporting the sidearm portions.

United States Patent [72] Inventor MaynardC.Sarvas 4773 Dogwood, Seal Beach, Calif. 90740 842,639

3/1967 Sarvas..........................

Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunbcrg AnorneyFraser and Bogucki ABSTRACT: A furniture unit is provided which can be shipped in disassembled condition and readily assembled and 297/218 which has firmly attached, tightly fitting but removable covers 297/440 while at the same time having the appearance of upholstered A47c 4/42 furniture, The unit incorporates individual seat back and sidearm portions. Separate cover units for each of these por- [2| 1 App]. No. |22| Filed July 17, I969 |45| Pnlcntcd Sept. 28,197]

[54] FURNITURE UNITS l 1 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

9 A47c 4/02 [50] Field of 297/218, ions include Peripheral restraining elements detachably maim 2114403411462 taining the covers under tension, the restraining elements References Cited being out of sight when the unit 15 assembled The seat port on incorporates back support apertures within WhlCh mating UNITED STATES PATENTS members of the back portion register and are retained, and 3,066,435 2/1 OddO e! 1. 297/218 UX also includes side brackets for receiving and supporting the 3,171,690 3/1965 sidearm portions,

PATENTED SEP28 m1 SHEEI 1 (IF 2 FlG.-2

INVENTOR.

MAYNARD 0. SARVAS A TTORNEYS PATENTEU SEP28 1971 SHEU 2 OF 2 A B me D R A N I A N FNMA M F G 4 ATTORNEYS FURNITURE UNITS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventor has disclosed, in US. Pat. Nos. 3,188,137 and 3,311,408, concepts and configurations by which furniture units may be constructed so as to have tightly fitting permanent-appearing fabric or other covers which are readily detachable for cleaning or replacement. The constructions hitherto disclosed, however, have not generally been suitable for shipment in knockdown or disassembled condition, a feature which is of substantial utility in many instances in the furniture industry. The capability of shipping in disassembled form enables a furniture factory economically to serve a substantially wider market by enlarging its shipping area with some designs. Further, manufacturing costs reductions can be achieved because of the modular construction. In addition, a number of advantages of furniture which is capable of being easily disassembled and reassembled are realized when the furniture is to e moved from one location to another or store. Heavy or bulky furniture pieces such as sofas cannot sometimes readily be moved through restricted doorways or hallways. in certain instances such as apartment houses or other multiple story buildings, large sofas can only be moved by the use of special equipment because of small elevators or doorways. Another advantage of disassembled furniture units accrues from the convenience by which they can be stored or transported. Thus, when large furniture pieces can be broken down, the amount of furniture which can be packed within a given volume may be increased considerably thereby reducing shipping and storage costs proportionately.

The benefits of the knockdown-type of furniture are materially enhanced if the furniture units can at the same time, while retaining the appearance of conventional upholstered fumiture, incorporate cover elements which can be readily detached and attached. This feature provides a further cost reduction, in that conventional upholstering and fabric cutting techniques need not be employed. These as well as other ad vantages will become evident from the following description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objects and purposes of the invention are achieved by furniture unit constructions in which each of separate sidearm portions and a back portion are separately attached to a seat base. Each of the portions is provided with a separate detachable cover having a concealed peripheral margin when assembled, the cover being held under tension by elastic means anchoring the margin to the appropriate portion. In a specific example of a furniture unit construction, a sofa seat portion includes a single piece cover anchored along the front and rear undersides of tension seat, with the margins of the cover being elastically restrained at the sides. Apertures in the seat portion cover receive posts extending downwardly from a back portion, also incorporating a single piece, elastically tightened cover. A pair of sidearm support brackets are disposed at each side of the seat portion, for receiving mating brackets on the sidearm portions in such fashion that the arms may be locked to the seat portion by insertion of the legs. The interiorly facing margins on the covers for the sidearms are maintained under tension by internal elastic means, the elastic means being concealed when the arms are in abutment against the seat and back portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a furniture unit in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the underside of the seat and back of the arrangement of FIG. 1, showing further details thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view, partially broken away, showing further details of the manner of mounting of the back and the seat in the arrangement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section view in side elevation showing the manner in which the arm and seat are secured; an

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially exploded, showing an alternative furniture unit in accordance with he invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A sofa l0 illustrative of the invention which can be shipped in disassembled or knockdown form is shown in FIGS. 1-4. The sofa 10 comprises generally a seat 12 having a frame 11, a back portion 13 and a pair of sidearm portions 14 and 15 respectively. Internal details of construction of these portions have not been shown, for brevity and in view of the fact that a wide variety of conventional constructions and materials may be employed. Typically, wooden frame constructions with muslin coverings are utilized in conjunction with foam, spring or padding, or combinations thereof. The muslin coverings are merely for the purpose of sealing and retaining the interior constructions, however, and conventional upholstering techniques need not be employed.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 17 for the seat portion 12 includes a front underside margin 26 along which elastic loops or bands 19 couple the margin to hooks 20 on the underside of the frame 1 1. Similarly loops l9 and hoods 20 are disposed along the back edge of the seat 12 on the underside of the frame 11 and out of sight when the sofa I0 is in normal position. Side margins 22 on the cover 17 are disposed so as to expose the side of the seat 12, the side margins 22 being held under tension at a plurality of points by elastic bands 24 coupled to pins or hooks 25 along the underside of the side edge of the seat 12.

The sidearms may be attached to the seat portion by a variety of different construction techniques one of which is illustrated in the drawings and herein described. A pair of side brackets 28, 29 are mounted on each side of the frame 11 of the seat 12 and spaced apart, from front to rear. Each bracket 28 or 29 comprises a lower flange 31 having a central aperture 32 and an upper flange 34 having an upstanding terminal tab 36. These elements are used in common in all of the brackets 28, 29 and cooperate with elements to be described on the sidearm portions which permit ready mounting and removal of the sidearms as well as the seat and sidearm portions covers.

The seat portion 12 includes vertical channels 38, 39 best seen in the fragmentary view of FIG. 3. The channels 38, 39 are defined as recesses within the seat frame 11 for receiving posts 50, 51 extending from the back portion 13 in mating relationship, with at least a light frictional fit. Apertures in the covers 17 provide access to the channels 38, 39.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the back portion 13 includes a cover 42 which for ease of mounting may have a zipper or Velcro tape 44 along one rear vertical edge. The margins 45, 46 of the back portion cover 42 also include elastic loops 47 which are engaged to hooks 48 disposed along the underside of the back portion frame 49. In this manner the back portion cover 42 is tightly fitted by tension along the cover margins 45, 46. Alternatively, the elastic loops 47 could be joined together along the underside of the back 13, by S- hooks or the like thereby avoiding the use of hooks attached to the back portion frame. Vertically depending posts 50, 51 mounted and seamed on the interior frame 49 of the backseat portion 13 are positioned to register within the channels 38, 39 of the seat portion 12.

As previously noted, the sidearms may be attached to the seat portion in a number of ways. One convenient technique utilizes a sidearm frame construction which interlocks with a bracket member attached to the seat portion. The sidearm portions l4, 15, shown both in FIG. 1 and the sectional view of FIG. 4, include an interior frame 53 having an upper reentrant member 54 and a lower member 55 having a pair of threaded bottom insert holes 56. Padding as exemplified by a foam pad 58 along the upper portion of the sidearm 14, is covered by a fixed muslin cover 60, which is turn is covered by the-detachable cover 62. The detachable cover has a margin 61 along the underside of the sidearm .14 secured at a number of points by elastic loops 67 coupled to hooks 64 on the underside of the frame 53. The interior horizontal margin 57 of the sidearm cover is shown as held under tension by elastic bands 68 detachably coupled to hooks 66 on the underside of the sidearm 14. On the interior vertical side of the sidearm 14, the margin 52 of the detachable cover 62 faces inwardly, the margin being held under tension by elastic bands 68 coupling different opposing points on the cover margin. However, a yariety of other means of attaching the cover 62 may also be utilized. For example, the margins 52, 57 my be provided with elastic loops and simply attached to hooks disposed along the underside of the adjacent sidearm frame member. The cover 62 may also completely cover the underside of the sidearm portions having appropriate openings for insertion of legs. The underside cover margin may then be attached to hoods 66 by elastic means. The elastic bands or loops may either be sewn to the appropriate margin or may extend through eyelets provided along the margins.

As also shown in FIG. 4, when in position, the upper reentrant portion of the member 54 in the sidearm frame 53 receives the upstanding tab 36 on the bracket 28 or 29, registering the member 54 on the bracket with a snug fit. The lower threaded member 55 is seated on the lower flange 31, with the threaded insert hole 56 being coaxial with the aperture 32 in the bottom flange 31 of each of the brackets 28 and 29. Thus, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, a leg 70 having an upstanding threaded portion 72 may be entered through the aperture 32 and threaded into the frame portion 56, to lock the sidearm portion 14 at both front and back to the seat portion 12. The same locking action is effected by each pair of brackets 28, 29 for each sidearm portion 14 or 15.

It is therefore evident that the furniture unit of FIGS. 1-4 is constructed in for separate portions, each of which is covered with a removable cover. The entire unit may be shipped and stored in disassembled condition and readily assembled at the point of destination. The sidearm portions 14, I5 lock firmly in place to the seat portion 12 when the legs 70 are inserted, although the legs may separately be mounted in the seat portion. Alternatively a different type of leg construction entirely may be utilized, in which event bolts or similar means may be used for the locking as previously described. For example, the bracket 28, 29 and lower member 55 of the sidearm frame may be modified so that the aperture 32 of the bottom flange 31 is threaded. The insert hole 56 rather than being threaded may pass completely through the lower member 55. Thus, in assembling the unit, the bottom flange 31 will overlie the lower member 55 so that the aperture 32 and insert cavity 56 are coaxially aligned. The upstanding threaded portion 72 of he leg passes through the insert hole 56 and is securely engaged with the threaded aperture 32. The back portion 13 is firmly held by the registering posts 50, 51 by frictional engagement within channels 38, 39 and by gravity in the seat portion 12 under all normal conditions, but may be readily removed if desired. Additional bracing for the back portion may be added, for example, holding brackets and the like may be attached to the back and adjacent sidearm portion frames.

To remove the covers for cleaning or replacement, the sofa is preferably disassembled, in order to provide ready access to the various elastic anchoring means. The margins of the various covers are quickly released by unhooking the individual anchor means, and the covers easily replaced.

As described in the prior mentioned patents, the elastic bands shown are merely illustrative of different anchoring means that may be employed. It will be understood that tension in a given direction can be supplied by elastic means along only one of the margins transversed to that direction, and that a wide variety of tensioning constructions are available. For example, one or more of the margins of the back, seat or sidearm portions may be secured to the adjacent frame member by means of a Velcro tape secured to both the appropriate cover margin and the frame. In accordance with the invention, however, the covers are firmly secured in place, tautly held in two mutually orthogonal directions, and all of the elastic means and margins are concealed when the unit is assembled, giving the appearance of fully upholstered furniture.

Another example of a furniture unit in accordance with the invention is exemplified in the unit of FIG. 5, in which a cushioned chair is depicted. The seat portion 12 and back portions 13 are joined in the same manner as described above, but are of lesser thickness to accommodate seat and back cushions and 71 respectively. Arms 14, 15 of appropriate configuration are separately attached to each of the sides of the seat, in the manner previously described. Again, the construction is such that the covers for the separate units are maintained taut in two mutually orthogonal directions and the margin lines are concealed when the unit is assembled.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that constructions in accordance with the invention may utilize different elements, particularly the arm portions, of different materials and configurations on the remaining portions. Particularly, wooden arms or combinations of wood and fabric may be utilized in the knockdown construction. The styles utilized may vary, and different mechanisms may be utilized for retention of the different positions in the assembled position. Accordingly, the invention is understood to include all modifications and variations within the purview of the claims.

lclaim:

1. A furniture unit capable of being readily disassembled and assembled having a readily removable and replacable cover comprising:

a seat portion including cover means having front and back margins along the underside thereof, and including means for receiving a back portion;

means disposed along the margin of said seat portion cover means for elastically securing said cover means in at least two directions;

sidearm portions mounting means coupled to the sides of said seat portion for receiving sidearm portions;

a pair of sidearm portions each including a frame and an internal member for registering with said mounting means and for detachable engagement therewith;

sidearm cover means mounted on said sidearm portions and including margins along the underside and interior facing sides thereof;

elastic means coupling said sidearm portion cover means to said sidearm frames in detachable fashion;

a back portion including a frame and means for registering said seat back portion receiving means;

back portion cover means including margins on the underside of said back portion; an

elastic means detachably coupling said back portion cover means to the frame of said back portion.

2. The unit of claim 1 wherein said means for receiving a back portion comprises recessed channels attached to said seat portion frame.

3. The unit of claim 2 wherein the dimensions of the said recessed channels are such so as to frictionally receive registering means of said back portion.

4. The unit of claim 1 wherein said sidearm receiving means comprises a plurality of brackets each of which has a lower flange containing a central aperture and an upper flange having an upstanding terminal tab.

5. The unit of claim 4 wherein said internal registering members of said sidearm portions comprise an upper reentrance member for securably engaging and registering between said upstanding terminal tab of said bracket and said seat portion frame, and a lower member having a threaded bottom insert cavity.

6. The unit of claim 5 which includes a plurality of leg members each having an upstanding threaded portion for securably engaging said lower flange central aperture of said bracket and said threaded bottom insert cavity.

7. The unit of claim 1 wherein said back portion registering means comprises a pair of posts extending downwardly from said back portion and secured to said back portion frame.

8. The unit of claim 1 wherein said seat portion cover means includes front and back underside margins and side margins along the length of which are attached elastic means attached to said seat portion frame.

9. The unit of claim 1 which includes holding means attached to said seat portion frame for engaging said seat portion cover elastic securing means.

A constructed furniture unit capable of being readily disassembled and having a plurality of individual portion removable covers which are readily removable when said unit is disassembled comprising:

a seat portion having a frame, back portion receiving means, attached to said frame, sidearm portion mounting means secured to said frame and a removable seat portion cover;

first elastic means coupling said seat portion cover to said seat portion frame;

a back portion having a frame, a plurality of downwardly extending posts attached to said frame and frictionally secured within said back portion receiving means and a removable back portion cover;

second elastic means coupling said back portion cover to said back portion frame;

a pair of sidearm portions, each sidearm portion having a frame including an upper reentrant member and a lower member having a threaded bottom insert cavity, said upper member securably engaged between said sidearm portion mounting means and said seat frame and a removable sidearm portion cover;

third elastic means coupling aid sidearm portion cover to said sidearm portion frame; and

a plurality of leg members each having an upstanding threaded portion securably engaged within said threaded insert cavity.

11. The unit of claim 10 wherein said sidearm portion mounting means comprises a plurality of brackets each having a lower flange containing a central aperture and an upper flange having an upstanding tenninal tab wherein said tab securely engages said sidearm portion frame reentrant member and wherein said leg member upstanding threaded portion passes through said central aperture. 

1. A furniture unit capable of being readily disassembled and assembled having a readily removable and replacable cover comprising: a seat portion including cover means having front and back margins along the underside thereof, and including means for receiving a back portion; means disposed along the margin of said seat portion cover means for elastically securing said cover means in at least two directions; sidearm portions mounting means coupled to the sides of said seat portion for receiving sidearm portions; a pair of sidearm portions each including a frame and an internal member for registering with said mounting means and for detachable engagement therewith; sidearm cover means mounted on saiD sidearm portions and including margins along the underside and interior facing sides thereof; elastic means coupling said sidearm portion cover means to said sidearm frames in detachable fashion; a back portion including a frame and means for registering said seat back portion receiving means; back portion cover means including margins on the underside of said back portion; and elastic means detachably coupling said back portion cover means to the frame of said back portion.
 2. The unit of claim 1 wherein said means for receiving a back portion comprises recessed channels attached to said seat portion frame.
 3. The unit of claim 2 wherein the dimensions of the said recessed channels are such so as to frictionally receive registering means of said back portion.
 4. The unit of claim 1 wherein said sidearm receiving means comprises a plurality of brackets each of which has a lower flange containing a central aperture and an upper flange having an upstanding terminal tab.
 5. The unit of claim 4 wherein said internal registering members of said sidearm portions comprise an upper reentrance member for securably engaging and registering between said upstanding terminal tab of said bracket and said seat portion frame, and a lower member having a threaded bottom insert cavity.
 6. The unit of claim 5 which includes a plurality of leg members each having an upstanding threaded portion for securably engaging said lower flange central aperture of said bracket and said threaded bottom insert cavity.
 7. The unit of claim 1 wherein said back portion registering means comprises a pair of posts extending downwardly from said back portion and secured to said back portion frame.
 8. The unit of claim 1 wherein said seat portion cover means includes front and back underside margins and side margins along the length of which are attached elastic means attached to said seat portion frame.
 9. The unit of claim 1 which includes holding means attached to said seat portion frame for engaging said seat portion cover elastic securing means.
 10. A constructed furniture unit capable of being readily disassembled and having a plurality of individual portion removable covers which are readily removable when said unit is disassembled comprising: a seat portion having a frame, back portion receiving means, attached to said frame, sidearm portion mounting means secured to said frame and a removable seat portion cover; first elastic means coupling said seat portion cover to said seat portion frame; a back portion having a frame, a plurality of downwardly extending posts attached to said frame and frictionally secured within said back portion receiving means and a removable back portion cover; second elastic means coupling said back portion cover to said back portion frame; a pair of sidearm portions, each sidearm portion having a frame including an upper reentrant member and a lower member having a threaded bottom insert cavity, said upper member securably engaged between said sidearm portion mounting means and said seat frame and a removable sidearm portion cover; third elastic means coupling said sidearm portion cover to said sidearm portion frame; and a plurality of leg members each having an upstanding threaded portion securably engaged within said threaded insert cavity.
 11. The unit of claim 10 wherein said sidearm portion mounting means comprises a plurality of brackets each having a lower flange containing a central aperture and an upper flange having an upstanding terminal tab wherein said tab securely engages said sidearm portion frame reentrant member and wherein said leg member upstanding threaded portion passes through said central aperture. 